@punkislandnyc

Punk Island Fest in an annual music fest organized and curated by a collective of punx in NYC, Supported by Make Music New York.


ABOUT THE BAND:

Ratas En Zelo is an all-female "accordion punk" band based in NYC, formed in 2014 by immigrant Latinas, known for their high-energy performances, humor, and defiance. The band features an unconventional, guitar-free sound combining punk with accordion, bass, and drums. Their music is characterized as "estrogen-fueled" chaos, often addressing themes from a Latina immigrant perspective.

  • Members: The band includes sisters Hiromy (accordionist) and Yadee (vocalist), with María (drummer) and Natalie (bassist).
  • Origin: The band formed in 2014, with roots in El Salvador and Peru.
  • Sound: They are described as the "strangest punk band" due to their accordion-driven, guitar-free instrumentation.
  • Releases: They released their second full-length album, Desvergue, in August 2024, featuring tracks like "Año de la Rata" and "Punk Police".

ABOUT THE BAND:

RBNX (short for The Raddigan Brothers Noise Experience) and Car Bomb Parade have teamed up for a split EP, which is out now. What to expect? Seven songs in total from these NY-based bands, clocking in neatly at 20 minutes.

Poughkeepsie, NY’s RBNX kick things off with three concise hardcore punk songs and a cover of Bim Skala Bim’s ‘Not In Anger’. Formed by lifelong friends Mike Dietz, Phil Bartsch, and Kyle Behnken, RBNX likes to mix up hardcore and punk with a bit of ska. Opening track ‘Any Means Necessary’ is the one to remember here: aggressive, relentless and melodic all rolled up together.

ABOUT THE BAND:

For the past decade, RENT STRIKE has been pushing on the boundaries – their sound falls somewhere in the interstices between folk, indie, punk, metal, and jazz, developing an approach to folk punk that is at once both familiar and challenging. Above all is an interest in experimenting with the transformative power of art – from 2018’s Lord of the Rings concept album IX, which documents the tale of frontperson John Warmb’s struggle with and recovery from heroin addiction, to 2024’s Möbius Strip Mall, which aims to explore and free the listener from the titular psychic prison apparatus.

RENT STRIKE has been welcomed on stages and at festivals across Turtle Island, and have toured extensively with many lineups over the years. Currently, their lineup consists of electric guitar, bass, and drums, with occasional support from melodic instruments such as cello and trumpet.

Möbius Strip Mall

RENT STRIKE

Though the full figure of the Möbius Strip Mall appears to us most often in dreams, its winding halls and endless twisting stares are all too terrifyingly real. It bares down on us with a thousand signs, manipulates our will, has us chasing our own tails.

This album is an exploration of its depths, and an attempt to chart a means of escape.

ABOUT THE BAND:

Reya Flowers is a NYC-based alternative music artist, producer, and singer-songwriter known for a genre-bending style that blends shoegaze, dream pop, and emo influences. Often self-producing, their music is characterized as raw, personal, and emotive, with recent work focusing on themes of city life, new beginnings, and emotional catharsis. An "emo absurdist" and "audio witch" based in New York, often associated with the East Harlem area. A 2021 Purchase College music graduate. Recent Projects: Released the EP Avenues in April 2026, described as 5 songs about new beginnings and the future.

ROUGH LINES:

-No info found-

ABOUT THE BAND:

Ryan Cassata (he/him) is a multi-talented artist signed to Kill Rock Stars. As an award-winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, published writer, LGBTQ+ activist, and transgender motivational speaker, Ryan's music and story has been showcased on prestigious platforms, including The Larry King Live Show, The Tyra Banks Show, CNN, GRAMMY.com, Rolling Stone, Billboard, The New York Times, Newsweek, and The NY Daily News. Ryan Cassata has built an impressive career with a remarkable track record with over 800 national and international performances. He has released eight original and critically-acclaimed musical albums of original music. Notably, Ryan made history as the first openly trans performer at the Vans Warped Tour and has graced renowned stages such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Global Pride, and SXSW.  The Advocate Magazine hailed him as a "Transgender singing sensation," while Paper Magazine included him on their list of "50 LGBTQ Musicians You Should Prioritize." LOGO's New Now Next recognized Ryan as one of the "9 Trans Musicians You Need To Get Into." Acknowledging his impact, Billboard Magazine referred to him as a "true force in the industry." They also featured him on their list of "11 Transgender & Non-Binary Musicians You Need to Know," and premiered his award-winning music video "Daughter," which has amassed over 2.5 million views on YouTube and 3.5 million streams on Spotify. Ryan's music has been played on Sirius XM Radio and BBC Radio 4, reaching listeners worldwide. In 2019, he proudly received The ASCAP Foundation's Mariana and Paul Williams "Sunlight of the Spirit" songwriting award for his original composition, "Jupiter." His 2021 self-written and self-produced album, Magic Miracle Mile charted on the iTunes Alternative Charts. Ryan's talent has garnered the endorsement of prominent names in the industry, including Ovation Guitars, Marvin Guitars, Figurehead Guitars, Breedlove Guitars, Grover Allman Guitar Picks, Daredevil Pedals, and My Cluck Hut Soap. His most recent LP, his debut LP with Kill Rock Stars, Greetings from Echo Park, Ryan Cassata, a genre-defying powerhouse musician and activist, constructs a raw collection of folk punk, blues, and pop punk songs that soundtrack stories of anxiety, escapism, illness, and transphobia. The album released on June 6th, 2025. Ryan has been at the forefront of the transgender liberation movement since his early teens, appearing on the Larry King Live Show at 15 years old, the Tyra Banks Show at 17 years old, and speaking at schools and conferences to educate people on the importance of diversity and equality. With a Masters of Art in Social Transformation (MAST) from the Pacific School of Religion, Ryan was honored with the prestigious 2023 Marcella Althaus-Reid Award for his efforts in queering theology and his work thus far for the Transgender Liberation Movement. Ryan's journey as a transgender activist began at 13 when he joined the LGBT Network's Safe Schools Team after being severely bullied in middle school. Since then, he has become an influential speaker, delivering impactful speeches and sharing his experiences at numerous Middle Schools, High Schools, and Universities nationwide. Notably, Ryan achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the youngest keynote speaker in the history of the Philadelphia Trans Health [Wellness] Conference. Ryan has shared his research and experience at esteemed institutions like Harvard University and the U.S. Capitol. His groundbreaking accomplishments have earned him recognition, including being the inaugural recipient of the Harvey Milk Memorial Award in 2011 from Bay Shore High School (Harvey Milk's alma mater) and receiving a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from the United States Congress in 2019. In June 2023, he was invited to The White House, where he engaged in a taped conversation with Admiral Rachel Levine, leaving a lasting impression on national platforms.   In Film and TV, Ryan Cassata was the focus of the award-winning documentary Songs for Alexis, which Elvira Lind directed. Ryan Cassata stars as "Jalin" in the award-winning Travis Fine feature film "Two Eyes," which debuted as the closing night film of Outfest 2020. His original song "You & Me Babe" served as central music in the film and awarded him FilmOut's Best Soundtrack award (2022). Ryan also starred in the short film "Collective: Unconscious," which premiered at SXSW. Rolling Stone Magazine and The New York Times praised the short, highlighting Ryan's noteworthy performance. The Victoria Independent Film Festival recognized his talent with the "Best Breakout Performance" award in 2016. Ryan's artistic endeavors also extend to the realm of musical theater. He has been involved in various musicals, including a workshop production at New York Stage & Film's Powerhouse Theatre at Vassar. Ryan has also ventured into modeling and influencer work with notable brands such as Nike, Lids, Bonobos, Lull, Lyft, Hollister Co., and HP. In 2019, Ryan proudly became the face of TomboyX's Trans Pride Underwear line and modeled in The Style Section of The New York Times. Ryan is passionate about spreading joy and empowering others, and is committed to educating the global community through his music and message. Ryan continues to share his inspiring message of hope and acceptance via his social media platforms and at nationwide venues.

Blood Is On Your Hands

Ryan Cassata x Jesediah

David Scott Stone and I set into the studio wanting to make a fun dance. He got out several amazing analog synths, like Roland Juno 106, Moog Taurus ll, Korg MS-20, Black Corporation Deckards Dream
And Roland TR-808. Read more
David Scott Stone and I set into the studio wanting to make a fun dance. He got out several amazing analog synths, like Roland Juno 106, Moog Taurus ll, Korg MS-20, Black Corporation Deckards Dream
And Roland TR-808. However, while setting out to make this hooky and happy sounding dance song, the activist in me could not help but to write about the political situation and nightmare that LGBTQ American’s such as myself are living in. The song is about homophobia, transphobia, queerphobia, and gun violence. I wrote the song loosely based on the tragic Club Q shooting that took place in Colorado Springs in 2022. I wrote from the perspective of Daniel Aston, the 28 year old bartender, who was a trans man. Daniel was a friend that I spoke to online. We were also the same age at the time of his death so the tragedy really rocked me. When I found out he was one of the victims, I broke down. I read his name at the Los Angeles Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil the following day. The chorus came first, “Blood is on your hands, we just came here to dance. Blood is on your hands, so why can’t we dance?” In this state of this country, it often feels scary and overwhelming to go out and dance, especially at queer events, with the increase of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and gun violence. We simply just want to dance, love and be loved, we want to exist to our fullest potential without the threats of queerphobia and violence. Why is it so hard to just let us dance? Why can’t we dance?

“So much pain exists in the queer community, and not enough of us get to experience grace in the face of that turmoil. My brother Ryan tapped me for this project and i was so excited. He is someone I've looked up to and considered family since I met him years ago at a music camp. This song is an anthem, a hard one but one nonetheless.” - Jesediah

ABOUT THE BAND:

SAD MATT! is a singer/songwriter and musician based in Poughkeepsie, NY, often associated with emo, indie, or bedroom pop influences. He releases music independently, featuring live recordings and singles such as "The Hot Milk of Victory" and "Sad Magic! - EP".

ABOUT THE BAND:

Seeing Snakes is a Philadelphia-based punk rock band formed in 2013, known for fast, melodic punk, skatepunk, and energetic live shows. They are active in the PA punk scene, often playing local venues and festivals with a DIY ethos, featuring songs about self-destruction and social commentary.

  • Genre & Sound: They play melodic, fast-paced punk rock heavily influenced by bands like The Bouncing Souls, Dag Nasty, and Bad Religion.
  • Formation: Founded in 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, following the end of bands Bednarik and Electric Mammoth.
  • Members: The band consists of Tim (lead vocals/guitar), Rob (bass/backing vocals), and Brian (drums).
  • Releases: Their discography includes the EP For Who? For What? (2016) on Violated Records, the album Still Standing (2024), and they have a split 7" with Green Jellÿ.

ABOUT THE BAND:

Seraphine's Cleaver is an experimental post-punk band based in NYC. march 20* - redbud co-op ✦ ithaca, ny ✦ w/ thesaurus rex, spit!

ABOUT THE BAND:

SHAGGO is a Brooklyn-based queer femme punk band known for their DIY, high-charm, and sometimes absurd "carefree" music. Formed by Lucy Rinzler-Day (vocals/guitar) and Carina Greenberg (bass), the band released their debut album, Chores, in June 2025, featuring singles like "Minor League" and "I Wanted Fun". Their style is described as punk with a 90s rock feel, often dealing with themes of youth, mental health, and social satire.

Band Details & Background

  • Members: The band consists of Lucy Rinzler-Day (vocals, guitar), Carina Greenberg (bass, backing vocals), Thea Devine (lead guitar), and Jane Ehnhuus (drums).
  • Origin: The band was born in Brooklyn out of a shared admiration for the 60s band The Shaggs.
  • Sound & Style: Their music is described as queer femme punk, with a focus on fun and a "not-too-serious" DIY ethos. They have been compared to a mix of Le Tigre's composition and the edge of Hole.
  • "Chores" Album: Released in 2025, the album is described as a "love letter to femme..." that touches on topics like "misplaced socks" and the "cleansed bitch".

Key Songs & Media

  • Minor League: A single inspired by a minor league baseball game, noted for its "delectable, groovy bassline" and absurd, theatrical lyrics.
  • I Wanted Fun: A single that showcases the band's signature "anger and edge" with lyrics like "I am not your dopamine".

SHAGGO has been highlighted in the Brooklyn punk scene, having played local shows and appearing on platforms like MELT FM, Dreamworldgirl Zine and LOUD WOMEN.

WORLD SUCKS:

@worldsucks

YELL AT GOD:

@yell_at_god